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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Romans 4:4–8

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

24 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 4

  1. Romans 11:6Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

  2. Romans 9:32Rank 2 from verse 4
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    32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

  3. Romans 11:35Rank 3 from verse 4
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    35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

  4. Matthew 20:1–16Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    1FOR the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

    2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

    3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

    4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

    5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

    6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

    7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

    8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

    9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

    10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

    11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

    12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

    13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

    14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

    15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

    16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

From verse 5

  1. Philippians 3:9Rank 1 from verse 5
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    9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

  2. Romans 3:22Rank 2 from verse 5
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    22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

  3. Titus 3:3–7Rank 3 from verse 5
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    3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

    4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

    5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

    6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

    7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

  4. Romans 10:9–10Rank 4 from verse 5
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    9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

    10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

  5. Galatians 3:8–14Rank 5 from verse 5
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    8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

    9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

    10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

    11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

    12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

    13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

    14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

From verse 6

  1. 2 Timothy 1:9Rank 1 from verse 6
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    9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

  2. Ephesians 2:8–10Rank 2 from verse 6
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    8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

    9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

    10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

  3. Philippians 3:9Rank 3 from verse 6
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    9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

  4. Galatians 3:8–9Rank 4 from verse 6
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    8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

    9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

  5. 1 Corinthians 1:30Rank 5 from verse 6
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    30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

From verse 7

  1. Psalms 32:1–2Rank 1 from verse 7
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    1BLESSED is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

    2Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

  2. Psalms 130:3–4Rank 2 from verse 7
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    3If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

    4But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

  3. Luke 7:47–50Rank 3 from verse 7
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    47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

    48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

    49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

    50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

  4. Micah 7:18–20Rank 4 from verse 7
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    18Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

    19He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

    20Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

  5. Psalms 85:2Rank 5 from verse 7
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    2Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

From verse 8

  1. Psalms 32:2Rank 1 from verse 8
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    2Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

  2. 1 Peter 2:24Rank 2 from verse 8
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    24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

  3. 2 Corinthians 5:19–20Rank 3 from verse 8
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    19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

    20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

  4. 1 Peter 3:18Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

  5. Isaiah 53:10–12Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    10¶ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

    11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

    12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 4:4

COMBINED MEANING

worketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of work, meaning to labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

reward

↗

Sense 1: A benefit, payment, honour, punishment, or recompense given or received. Sense 2: As a verb, to give such a return.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

reckoned

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of reckon, meaning to count, calculate, consider, regard, or place to an account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

grace

↗

Sense 1: Favor, acceptance, goodwill, kindness, or mercy. Sense 2: A favor, gift, benefit, or help freely bestowed, especially God's favor and enabling help; in salvation, explicitly contrasted with works and debt. Sense 3: Pleasing quality, beauty, attractiveness, or elegance, including gracious speech. Sense 4: Thankfulness or gratitude.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

debt

↗

That which is due from one person to another, whether money, goods, or services; that which one person is bound to pay or perform to another.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 4:5

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

worketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of work, meaning to labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ungodly

↗

Sense 1: Lacking reverence for God, opposed to his righteous character and rule, or living wickedly and impiously. Sense 2: Persons so characterized.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

faith

↗

Sense 1: The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; trust, confidence, belief, persuasion, or reliance. Sense 2: Faithfulness, fidelity, or trustworthiness. Sense 3: The revealed truth or gospel believed and kept.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

counted

↗

Sense 1: Past tense or past participle of count: numbered or calculated. Sense 2: Past tense or past participle of count: reckoned, regarded, esteemed, or accounted as.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 4:6

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

blessedness

↗

The favoured state or happiness of one who is blessed.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

whom

↗

The objective form of who, referring to the person or persons acted upon or related to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

imputeth

↗

Reckons, counts, credits, attributes, or charges something to a person’s account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

without

↗

Outside or on the exterior; beyond a boundary; lacking, absent, free from, not accompanied by, or apart from the person, thing, condition, means, or relation named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 4:7

COMBINED MEANING

blessed

↗

1. Favoured by God, endowed with good, or declared happy. 2. Spoke good of, praised, thanked, or bestowed a blessing upon.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

iniquities

↗

Acts or conditions of wickedness, unrighteousness, transgression, or sin; the guilt or burden of such wrongdoing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sins

↗

Transgressions or offences against God and his law, and the guilt for them.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

covered

↗

Had a covering placed or spread over; hidden, concealed, enclosed, overlaid, clothed, sheltered, or occupied over the surface or extent of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Romans 4:8

COMBINED MEANING

blessed

↗

1. Favoured by God, endowed with good, or declared happy. 2. Spoke good of, praised, thanked, or bestowed a blessing upon.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

whom

↗

The objective form of who, referring to the person or persons acted upon or related to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Lord

↗

1. A title of God or Jesus Christ acknowledging authority and rule. 2. A respectful title or address for one in authority.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

impute

↗

To reckon, attribute, or place to someone's account.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616 · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

sin

↗

1. Wrongdoing against God and his law; transgression or unrighteousness. 2. The guilt or burden of such wrongdoing, or the inward principle so named. 3. As a verb, to commit such wrongdoing.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

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3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

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5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

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6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

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7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

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8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

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9Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

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